Europe

MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/: Russia has sent an appeal to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over the Ukrainian army’s attacks on the Zaporozhye NPP and is awaiting its reaction, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday.

"We have already addressed the leadership of the IAEA’s Secretariat over this incident and are expecting the appropriate reaction on the part of the agency," she said.

LONDON, July 21. /TASS/: UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Thursday came out against the direct involvement of British troops in the Ukrainian conflict.

The politician, who reached the final round of the race for the post of the Conservative Party leader and the prime minister, told the BBC: "We are doing all we can to support Ukraine. We've led the international coalition on sending weapons, we're putting the sanctions in place, but I do not support the direct involvement of UK troops."

MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/: Russian President Vladimir Putin's health is fine, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"[Everything] is fine, he is in good health," the Kremlin spokesman assured reporters on Thursday.

According to him, "both Ukrainian, American and British information 'specialists' have been throwing in various fakes about the president's health in recent months." "These are nothing but fakes, we assure," Peskov said.

MADRID, July 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The 10-day heatwave that hit Spain left “more than 500 people” dead, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.

“During this heatwave, more than 500 people died because of such high temperatures, according to the statistics,” Sanchez said Wednesday, referring to a public health institute estimate based on excess mortality rates.

“I ask citizens to exercise extreme caution,” the premier said, noting the “climate emergency is a reality”.

LONDON, July 21 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by phone on Thursday and underlined the importance of further cooperation within the OPEC+ group of oil producers, the Kremlin said.

The conversation took place six days after U.S. President Joe Biden visited the prince in Saudi Arabia - highlighting the kingdom's importance to both Washington and Moscow at a time when Russia's war in Ukraine is roiling global energy markets.

VATICAN CITY, July 21 (Reuters) - The Vatican on Thursday slammed the brakes on a German progressive movement that aims to give lay Catholics a say in doctrinal matters such as homosexuality and women priests, saying this risked causing a schism in the universal Church.

A short but stern statement said the so-called "Synodal Path" could not assume it had the authority to instruct bishops on doctrine or morality. The movement's co-chairs responded that they made no such claim and expressed surprise.

BERLIN (AP) — Natural gas started flowing through a major pipeline from Russia to Europe on Thursday after a 10-day shutdown for maintenance — but the gas flow remained well short of full capacity and the outlook was uncertain, which leaves Europe still facing the prospect of a hard winter.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank on Thursday will join the U.S. Federal Reserve and other major central banks in raising interest rates. The only question is by how much — and whether the rush to make credit more expensive will tip Europe and other major economies into recession at the price of fighting record inflation.

(AP) --- The message to U.S. lawmakers from Ukraine’s first lady, delivered amid stark and graphic images of civilian bloodshed, couldn’t have been clearer: After nearly five full months since Russia launched its invasion, Olena Zelenska said that her country needs more Western weapons.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent her to Washington to appeal directly to U.S. Congress for air defense systems.

ROME (AP) — Italian Premier Mario Draghi resigned Thursday after his ruling coalition fell apart, and the country’s president dissolved Parliament, which paves the way for new elections although no date was set.

The moves dealt a destabilizing blow to Italy and Europe at a time of inflation and economic uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine.